Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated early on Sunday morning that the Jewish state is pausing the release of Palestinian prisoners slated to be freed as part of the ceasefire with Hamas.
“In light of Hamas’s repeated violations, including the ceremonies that humiliate our hostages and the cynical exploitation of our hostages for propaganda purposes, it has been decided to delay the release of terrorists that was planned for yesterday until the release of the next hostages has been assured, and without the humiliating ceremonies,” said Netanyahu, according to an English translation provided by his office.
Israel was set to release 602 Palestinian terrorists on Saturday, including 50 serving life sentences, 60 serving long terms and 47 who were re-arrested after the 2011 swap for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hamas is slated to return four additional bodies to Israel next Thursday, in what would be the final exchange of Phase 1 of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Jan. 19 and is due to end on March 1.
On Friday, Netanyahu eulogized the slain hostages returned the previous day—octogenarian Oded Lifshitz and children Kfir and Ariel Bibas—and vowed to bring home the remains of the boys’ mother, Shiri Bibas, from Gaza, after Hamas failed to return her body as scheduled.
“In an unspeakably cynical manner, [Hamas] did not return Shiri to her little children, the little angels, and they put the body of a Gazan woman in a coffin,” said Netanyahu in a video message to the nation.
“We will work resolutely to bring Shiri home together with all our abductees—both living and dead—and ensure that Hamas pays the full price for this cruel and evil violation of the agreement. The sacred memory of Oded Lipshitz and Ariel and Kfir Bibas will be forever enshrined in the heart of the nation. God will avenge their blood,” he continued.
Overnight Friday, Hamas returned the body of Shiri Bibas, who was murdered in captivity.
Hamas has also held propaganda ceremonies while releasing hostages, both living and dead, forcing sometimes emaciated and gaunt Israelis to wave at crowds of cheering Palestinians while praising their captors.
Late last month, Netanyahu condemned a crowd of Gazans that mobbed three Israeli captives as they were being transferred to Red Cross officials in Gaza.
“I view the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages as very serious,” wrote Netanyahu after the release of Arbel Yehud, Gadi Mozes, Agam Berger and five Thai citizens, all of whom were abducted on Oct. 7, 2023.
“This is further proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization. I demand that the mediators ensure that such horrific scenes do not recur, and guarantee the safety of our hostages. Those who dare harm our hostages do so at their own peril,” wrote Netanyahu.